The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town attracted over one million visitors last year, it was announced today.
Attaining this historic milestone has secured Kirstenbosch’s status as one of the most important tourist attractions in South Africa, said Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom.
The Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organisation of the United Nations (UNWTO), Mr Taleb Rifai, and the President and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Mr David Scowsill, joined Minister Hanekom and Western Cape MEC for Tourism, Mr Alan Winde, on a tour of the garden today.
“The milestone achieved by Kirstenbosch is a tribute to the hard work and vision of the South African National Biodiversity Institute,” said Minister Hanekom.
He said South Africa’s botanical gardens provided a window on South Africa’s rich natural heritage, exposing visitors to the country’s biodiversity.
Mr Rifai underscored this, adding that the value of biodiversity for tourism was immense.
“Sustainability and tourism are not a zero sum game,” said Mr Rifai. “In fact, tourism can be one of the more effective tools for conservartion by providing resources for environmental preservation, but also by raising awareness among millions of people every year of the immense value of our natural heritage and our common responsibility to protect it. Kirstenbosch is an example of excellence, of how tourism and biodiversity can build a beneficial partnership and contribute to a more sustainable economic model”.
Commenting on the visit, Mr Scowsill said he was struck by the enduring legacy of Kirstenbosch’s founding ethos.
“Set up just over 100 years ago to protect South Africa’s unique flora, it adheres to the same idea today, which has made it famous worldwide,” said Mr Scowsill.
“Within our industry, travel and tourism must follow the same principles of heritage and conservation to ensure our long-term sustainable growth. World Travel and Tourism Counci (WTTC’s) Tourism for Tomorrow programme celebrates the very best examples of sustainable tourism around the world, and I would hope that in 100 years some of our industry’s most sustainable businesses are welcoming guests and admirers alike, just like Kirstenbosch.”
“Biodiversity and tourism conservation are tied together,” said Minister Hanekom. “If we destroy our natural assets, we destroy tourism. When we protect our natural assets, we build the tourism economy so that it is sustainable into the future.”
Minister Hanekom pointed out that South Africa’s conservation and biodiversity assets depended on tourism for their survival.
“The tourism footprint in conservation areas and botanical gardens generates the income to support the sustainability of these assets,” said Minister Hanekom.
SANParks generated 85% of its operational costs through tourism revenue, while less than 1% of the Kruger National Park’s two million hectares was dedicated to tourism infrastructure. The income generated from tourism enabled SANParks to maintain its reputation as a world leader in the management of protected areas. In the case of South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI), the gardens’ own income generated through tourism comprised over 40% of their combined personnel and operational costs.
“The success of tourism underpins the sustainability of our conservation efforts,” said Minister Hanekom. “When we add the spirit of innovation to this mix, like creating a Tree Canopy Walkway, we become winners in every way.”
SANBI CEO, Dr Tanya Abrahamse, said the opening last year of the Tree Canopy Walkway, or “Boomslang” as it is known, had led to a surge in visitors, resulting in achieving the one million milestone for the first time in the garden’s 102-year history.
“The Tree Canopy Walkway has become a prime attraction as one of our legacy projects,” said Dr Abrahamse. “Kirstenbosch is well-known as a ‘must see’ destination when planning a trip to South Africa, so when international tourism experts visit the country it’s no surprise that they would like to visit this iconic spot.”
SANBI celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, and next year will mark the 40th year of Kirstenbosch exhibiting at the Chelsea Flower Show in London.
“This is a true reflection of SANBI’s commitment to conserving the country’s unique biodiversity,” said Dr Abrahamse.
South Africa is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world and is home to nearly 10% of the world’s plant species, 7% of the reptile, bird and mammal species and 15% of known coastal marine species. SANBI protects, promotes and conserves the country’s national heritage through a variety of programmes.
“Our educational and job creation projects offer many solutions to the challenges that we face, and is key to conserving our planet,” said Dr Abrahamse.
SANBI’s outreach projects ensure that the youth of today become the custodians of South Africa’s natural heritage tomorrow. Schools visit the gardens to gain an understanding of the value of biodiversity and why it should be protected at all costs.
Ministry of Tourism enquiries:
Praveen Naidoo
Tel: 012 444 6772
Cell: 081 4751056
E-mail: pnaidoo@tourism.gov.za
Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden enquiries:
Charlene Key
Tel: 021 556 5597
Beryl Eichenberger
Tel: 021 556 8200
Cell: 082 490 6652
E-mail: beryl@hippocommunications.com
